Would I Be an Eligible Candidate For a Facet Joint Injection?
You may make an eligible candidate if your facet joint pain has not diminished or does not respond to conservative treatment, such as physical therapy or modifying your activity level for at least 3 months.
You may not make an eligible candidate if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have an infection
- Suffer from chronic bleeding
Additionally, if you are taking any blood thinning medications, you should inform your specialist so that they can advise you on whether it will be safe for you to stop taking them prior to your procedure.
How Is a Facet Joint Injection Procedure Performed?
Facet joint injections are performed on an outpatient basis (meaning you can return to your home the same day). This procedure can be completed in just a few minutes.
What to Expect During Your Facet Joint Injections Procedure
During your facet joint injection procedure, you should expect the following:
- Before your procedure begins, your skin around the injection site will be sterilized.
- During your procedure, we will use real-time X-Ray (fluoroscopy) to ensure the precise placement of the needle and the medication into the correct spinal joint.
- General anesthesia is not needed, so you will be awake during this procedure. Your specialist will administer mild sedation and a local anesthetic before your facet joint block. The local anesthetic helps provide immediate pain relief.
- Once the procedure is complete, the needle will be removed, and pressure will be applied to prevent bleeding.
You will be happy to note that little to no discomfort is experienced during or after the procedure.
Facet Joint Injection Recovery
You will be able to return home shortly after your procedure is complete. You may have some soreness around the injection site for a few days following your procedure. Your specialist will advise you to avoid driving and strenuous activity for the first 24 hours after your injection.
You will be able to resume all normal activities 24 hours after your procedure has been completed.
What Are the Side Effects of Facet Joint Injections?
While these injections are generally safe, as is the case with all medical procedures, there are some potential risks of side effects.